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First Build: Blackwell Boatworks

January 13, 2023 By InTheBite Magazine

(Photo: Freddy Ippolito)

By Nichole Osinski

Craig Blackwell didn’t grow up on the East Coast where so many famous sportfishing boats have been designed and built to later dominate tournaments worldwide. The Blackwell Boatworks founder instead spent his early years in Michigan along the chilly waters off Lake Huron. However, some individuals are simply meant to live that offshore life.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Boats, Builders, Featured Stories, First Builds, News Tagged With: blackwell boatworks, east coast, first build, north carolina, popular

First Build: Jarrett Bay’s Sensation

December 7, 2022 By InTheBite Magazine

The Sensation on the water.
By Nichole Osinski

“If you’d asked me when I was 16 years old if I was going to build a boat, I would have told you you’re crazy,” says Jarrett Bay Founder and President Randy Ramsey when recalling his 30-plus year career in the boat building industry. But to understand how the company has risen to where it is today, you have to go back to the root of it all—hull #1, which stemmed from a simple and pure love of fishing.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Boats, Design, Featured Stories, First Builds, General News, News Tagged With: east coast, first build, Jarret Bay Boatworks, north carolina, sportfishing yacht

First Build: Titan Custom Yachts’ Titan 58

November 2, 2022 By InTheBite Magazine

The Titan 58 on the water.

Titan’s hull number one looking pretty on the water.

Russ Garufi had his first boat when he was 14 years old. It was a 16 footer with 35 horsepower that he’d purchased from Sears. He took that boat out in the South River off the Chesapeake Bay until he was 16, when he upgraded to a 21-foot Reinell with a V8 inboard/outboard, also from Sears.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured Stories, First Builds, General News, News Tagged With: boat build, first build, Maryland, titan, titan custom yachts

First Build: Michael Rybovich

October 19, 2022 By InTheBite Magazine

(Photo/Michael Rybovich & Sons)

By Nichole Osinski

For boat builder Michael Rybovich & Sons, one could say there is not a single hull number one but several hulls that can be given the title. While the core of the Rybovich legacy—a family-run company committed to expert boat craftsmanship—has stayed true since the beginning, the company has had to reinvent itself throughout the years.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured Stories, First Builds, General News, News Tagged With: boat design, first build, michael rybovich and sons, Rybovich

Caison Yachts’ Last Request

July 22, 2022 By InTheBite Magazine

The Last Request on the water.

Photo: Will Douglass

By Nichole Osinski

Sitting in his truck, the A/C at full blast, Donnie Caison stares out across the boat yard in North Carolina where Caison Yachts’ first build rests, getting some routine work done. “I was kind of a late bloomer, I fished in lakes. I was in my 20s before I started saltwater fishing,” Donnie recalls when asked how he got into offshore fishing.

“I went to work for a guy as a general superintendent in the late 80s at a site development company, and he took me fishing. We went to the local ledge called the 23-mile rock and caught sailfish, king mackerel and other species. I came home and immediately bought a 20-foot center console.” On his maiden voyage fishing for Spanish mackerel, he blew the powerhead on the motor, forcing Caison to find a replacement outboard. He ended up buying a 150 Mercury. “Of course, it was a 25-inch shaft instead of a 20-inch shaft, so I had to raise the top of the transom. So that was my first fiberglass work,” Caison says.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Boats, Builders, Featured Stories, First Builds, General News, News Tagged With: boat building, caison yachts, Douglas Caison, first build, north carolina

Weaver Boatworks Dream Weaver

April 27, 2021 By InTheBite Digital Editor

Dream Weaver

Photo courtesy Weaver Boatworks

By Nichole Osinski

Jim Weaver started fishing when he was around 20 years old, but it wasn’t until the 80s when he first competed in the White Marlin Open. A Maryland native, Weaver claims it was that tournament that got him hooked on sportfishing. Fast forward to the late 90s and Jim had started a construction business and now had his own 55-foot Ocean Yacht, as well as friends who had custom boats built. Something that Weaver would see as a challenge.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Boats, Builders, Featured Stories Tagged With: boat builder, Boat Construction, Dream Weaver, first build, Weaver Boatworks

Jarrett Bay Celebrates 35 Years of Boat Building

February 17, 2021 By InTheBite Digital Editor

With an extensive list of sportfishers across the globe and more on the way, Jarrett Bay is now celebrating 35 years of boat building. For the company’s 35th anniversary, Jarrett Bay co-founder Randy Ramsey looks back on the events and people that inspired his first build, Sensation, which would go on to shape future boats to come.

Filed Under: Boats, Builders, News Tagged With: boat builder, first build, Jarrett Bay, north carolina boat builder, randy ramsey

Merritt’s Boat and Engine Works – Jane S

April 14, 2020 By InTheBite Editor

3 Merritt boats running in formation off the coast of Florida

An evolution of Merritt boats, in formation. The 42’ Caliban, built solely by Roy Merritt in 1967, the 72’ Brier Patch built in 2009. And the 86’ Destiny, splashed in 2011.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Boats, Builders, Featured Stories, First Builds, News, Splash Reports Tagged With: first build, Matthew Kersting Collection, Merritt Boats, roy merritt, Splash report

Ritchie Howell Custom Carolina Yachts – TFB

March 31, 2020 By InTheBite Editor

Sea Fix boat running on the ocean off Costa Rica Coast

The Sea Fix, a Ritchie boat splashed in 2019, exemplifies Howell’s modern creations—the heritage of which can be traced to a conversation between two North Carolina charter captains. Photo courtesy Pepper Ailor

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Boats, Builders, Featured Stories, First Builds, News, Splash Reports Tagged With: 60-70, 61, carolina yachts, first build, Ritchie Howell, Sea Fix, tfb

Bertram’s First Boat

October 21, 2019 By InTheBite Editor

Showing one of Bertram Yachts first boats ever

The Moppie, the first 31 Bertram, would win the 1960 and 1961 Miami to Nassau Race.

To build any boat from scratch is a magical thing. Having the gumption to take a big pile of your own money and turn it into a pile of materials that you intend to turn into a boat goes way beyond my perception or capabilities. Taking another fella’s money and trying to do it for the first time must spin the term “nerve wracking” to incredible new heights. Nevertheless, there’s always a few pioneers who step up and make something new that the boat-building industry just can’t ignore. Here are just a few examples of boats that have made a difference…there are plenty many more in North Carolina, Florida and elsewhere….

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Boats, Builders Tagged With: Bertram, Bertram Yachts, first build, moppie

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News

  • Old Salt: Capt. Eddie Herbert

    Old Salt: Capt. Eddie Herbert

    By Carol M. Bareuther, RD The moon and stars shone brightly in the pre-dawn night as Capt. Eddie Herbert started the engines on the 80-foot Merritt Reel Tight. His destination, the Virgin Islands’ North Drop. Reel Tight owner Jim Lambert Sr. took his passion for fishing seriously. He wanted to be first off the dock so he could catch and... [Read More...]

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  • First Build: Jarrett Bay's Sensation

    First Build: Jarrett Bay's Sensation

    By Nichole Osinski "If you’d asked me when I was 16 years old if I was going to build a boat, I would have told you you’re crazy," says Jarrett Bay Founder and President Randy Ramsey when recalling his 30-plus year career in the boat building industry. But to understand how the company has risen to where it is today,... [Read More...]

  • InTheBite Christmas Gift Offers

    InTheBite Christmas Gift Offers

    In addition to the other products listed below, InTheBite is offering two amazing holiday gift deals: a free gift subscription and a hat, shirt and sticker bundle. Act now before the offer ends on December 24th at midnight! Christmas Special: Hat, Shirt & Sticker Bundle (While Supplies Last) Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the fisherman in your life?... [Read More...]

  • Tackle Tips: L-Bar Bottom Rig

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    Capt. Bill Buckland, Fisherman’s Center Supplies Needed: L-Bar, 250 lb mono, 11/0 circle hooks, three-way swivel, deep drop gang rig and sash weight. The L-Bar is an excellent accessory to utilize when deep dropping for bottom fish. It is especially effective for catching tilefish. With a traditional five-hook gang rig, the hooks are suspended in the water column. Utilizing the... [Read More...]

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